OSDH Public Health Laboratory Confirms Additional Cases of Novel H1N1 Influenza
5/8/2009

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) today reported 10 new confirmed cases of the novel influenza A (H1N1). This brings to 14 the number of confirmed cases in Oklahoma.

The rapid increase in Oklahoma’s case confirmations is a result of the transition from confirmatory testing by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the OSDH Public Health Laboratory’s ability to conduct the confirmatory testing and report positive specimens quickly. This expanded testing capacity is likely to result in an increase in the number of reported confirmed cases in Oklahoma and in other states whose public health laboratories are now conducting confirmatory testing.

The newly confirmed cases include persons reporting flu-like illness from April 23 through May 7. Many of the cases have recovered.

• Oklahoma County, five adults (two males and three females)
• Seminole County, female teenager
• Kay County, female adult
• Kingfisher County, female teenager
• Cleveland County, male child
• Tulsa County, female adult

State and local public health officials are coordinating with local schools and school nurses to monitor for any increased illness or absenteeism.

The OSDH H1N1 flu toll-free hotline is open daily from 8 am to 8 pm and will be open this weekend. Persons with questions should call 1-866-278-7134. Oklahomans can also stay informed by visiting www.health.ok.gov and www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu, or by calling your local county health department.

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